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Friday, 6 January 2017

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY - AMY D'ORAZIO, THE BEST PART OF LOVE

Blog Tour Opening by author Amy D'OrazioMaria Grazia, thank you so much for being
hosting my “coming-out” party for The Best Part of Love! I hope that everyone
will enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

The story started with a simple
premise — what if Elizabeth Bennet wasn’t what she seemed? What if Darcy came
to know her as the country maiden of limited means and poor connexions … and
then discovered she was something entirely different?

There have been some excellent books
by very talented authors who have explored this theme, but it was in developing
the backstory of how and why Elizabeth, a.k.a Lady Courtenay came to be
(secretly) wealthy and titled that my story really began. I spent many happy
days researching ancient plots, conspiracies and all manner of intrigue to come
up with the rest of it.

The story incorporates many of our
favorite characters from “fanon”
including Lord and Lady Matlock, Darcy’s aunt and uncle, who happen to be
intimate friends of Lady Courtenay. Lady Matlock as you will see below hopes to
arrange a match between her favorite young countess and her nephew — but alas,
Darcy’s behavior in Hertfordshire has come back to haunt him.

Amy

About the Book

Avoiding the truth does not change the truth

When Fitzwilliam Darcy meets Miss Elizabeth Bennet he has no
idea that she — that indeed, the entire town of Meryton — harbors a secret.
Miss Elizabeth, a simply country girl from a humble estate, manages to capture
first his fascination and then his heart without him ever knowing the truth of
her past.

When she meets Darcy, Elizabeth had spent the two years prior
hiding from the men who killed her beloved first husband. Feeling herself
destroyed by love, Elizabeth has no intention of loving again, certainly not
with the haughty man who could do nothing but offend her in Hertfordshire.

In London, Elizabeth surprises herself by finding in Darcy a
friend; even greater is her surprise to find herself gradually coming to love
him and even accepting an offer of marriage from him. Newly married, they are
just beginning to settle into their happily ever after when a condemned man on
his way to the gallows divulges a shattering truth, a secret that contradicts
everything Elizabeth thought she knew about the tragic circumstances of her
first marriage. Against the advice of everyone who loves her, including Darcy,
Elizabeth begins to ask questions. But will what they learn destroy them both?

Amy D’Orazio is a former breast cancer researcher and current
stay at home mom who is addicted to Austen and Starbucks in about equal
measures. While she adores Mr. Darcy, she is married to Mr. Bingley and their
Pemberley is in Pittsburgh PA.

She has two daughters
who are devoted to sports which require long practices and began writing her
own stories as a way to pass the time she spent sitting in the lobbies of
various gyms and studios. She is a firm believer that all stories should have
long looks, stolen kisses and happily ever afters. Like her favorite heroine,
she dearly loves a laugh and considers herself an excellent walker.

“You heard, I suppose, of his estate
in Derbyshire? It is quite grand.”

“Ten thousand a year. Yes, I know. It
was often mentioned in Hertfordshire, as you might imagine.” The two ladies
shared an awkward chuckle.

“He practically raised his sister.”

“She was very sweet.”

Lady Matlock paused, studying
Elizabeth for a moment. “I think the two of you — ”

“Absolutely not,” Elizabeth said
firmly. “Do not waste another thought on it.”

Lady Matlock regarded her with dismay.
“But why?”

“Forgive me, but your nephew is — ” Elizabeth
stopped herself. “Mr. Darcy and I are not friends. Let us leave it at that.”

“Did something happen last night?”

“No, Mr. Darcy was gentlemanly enough
last night.”

“Did something occur in Hertfordshire
that has coloured your opinion of him?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “It hardly
signifies. He made his opinion of me and my character known in the autumn, so
any overture he makes towards friendship now can only be seen for what it is — false,
and based solely on my name and station. It is one thing to enter into an
arranged match with a man who I can at least hope has some affection for me,
but it is quite another to marry one who I know disdains me and settles
with me only for fortune.”

Lady Matlock frowned, her
disappointment plain. “I do not understand.”

“You said yourself that he had not
mentioned meeting me in Hertfordshire. Would it surprise you to know that, not
only did I meet him, but I also resided at Netherfield with their party for
nearly a week? It was the most uncomfortable, awkward week of my entire life,
made bearable only by the fact that I knew my dear sister, who had fallen ill,
needed my assistance — assistance she would not have received from either of
those sisters of Mr. Bingley.”

Lady Matlock nodded. “Those two would
not spare a glass of water to one dying of thirst on their doorstep. But what
did Darcy do?”

Elizabeth sighed. “He insulted me at
an assembly, he accused me of having a liaison with a footman — Jervis, by the
by — and we argued constantly. He lurked about, following me into halls and
eavesdropping on my conversations as though he expected to catch me in some
mischief. It was clear he thought little of my character; and that, I cannot
abide. Regardless of what title or fortune you might put upon me or take away
from me, I am a lady.”

“He is not always easy in a society
unknown to him, perhaps — ”

“It is one thing to be uneasy,” Elizabeth
retorted, “and another to be rude, disagreeable, and haughty. He recommended
himself to no one, least of all me. Forgive me, madam. You have been nothing
but good and kind to me, far more than was ever required, and I feel your
solicitude keenly. However, this match cannot be made. I am resolved to have no
part with that odious man.”

Lady Matlock released her breath in a
huff of disappointment. “If that is how you feel, I would not try to persuade
you otherwise.”

“Thank you.” Elizabeth gave her a
slight smile. “Let us speak on other things then, shall we?”

Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once a day and daily
commenting on a blog post that has a giveaway attached for the tour. Entrants should
provide the name of the blog where they commented (which will be verified).

Tweet and comment once daily to earn extra entries.

Each winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter. Paperback or
ebook format will be randomly selected for each winner as well.

**NOTE: Paperback copies are available for continental US winners!
Ebook copies are available for all winners, including international winners! If
more international winners are randomly chosen than the 4 allotted ebooks, then
that will decrease the number of paperbacks. 8 books will be given away to 8
different winners.**

I loved this scene and Elizabeth's firm resolve to not get to know Darcy any better. I love stories where he has to work extra hard and this one is amazing! Congratulations Amy, on your first published story. JAFF readers have a huge treat waiting for them!

Hi Amy! Congratulations on the release of your first book! The first of many, I hope! I simple adore this story and can't wait to read it again, now as a real book! I wish you all the success!! :)Thanks for the giveaway!

I've heard such good things about this story and it's author from my friends who've read her works on the fan fiction forums. I've certainly not come across this scenario before. Elizabeth with a secret to hide sounds most intriguing and it certainly looks as though Darcy is playing true to form. As Priscilla says, the Fitzwilliam family do add lovely dynamic to plots when they're written sympathetically and the fact that Elizabeth knows them independently of Darcy also adds a new wrinkle. Looking forward to following this tour very much.

Good luck with the launch and congratulations on your debut as a published author Amy.

Great idea for a story and lovely excerpt. I've read a couple of Amy's stories online, and I adore her writing and imagination. I've been waiting for this release since the cover reveal. Congratulations on publishing your first book, Amy. Thanks for the giveaway.

I loved this part in the book, but then, I loved the whole book! Thanks Maria, for being a part of this blog tour and introducing Amy and her first release! I hope everyone will enjoy reading the story as much as I did.

Sounds like a great premise! Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway chance, even if I'm not lucky enough to win in the giveaway, this sounds like a book I'll be getting! Congrats on the new release!

About Me

I've been an English teacher for a long time now and a blogger for more than 5 years. I love classic literature, reading, theatre, period drama, art and that is what I usually write about on FLY HIGH and My Jane Austen Book Club. I'd love to hear from you! Leave your comments to my posts or send e-mail messages to learnonline.mgs@gmail.com.